June News

It’s been a month of welcoming back old friends and they all enjoyed good weather. Angela and Richard walked, climbed and scrambled over hill and dale, looking healthier by the day! Malcolm painted and presented me with two lovely pictures, which I’ll put on the website. Denise relaxed in the sun. They also sailed out to dinner looking very glamorous! Graham and Jean too had not changed one bit. That’s Graham in the photo – can you guess what he’s doing? Send me your answers! Cid and Dianne brought 2 motor bikes in their Ford Transit – from the south coast of England! They are here for a fortnight and are actually in Harris for a few days at present. They get Brownie points for starting this year’s 1000 piece jigsaw, entitled “Highlanders” The Wanless foursome amazed me with their talents – sketching, organ playing, singing, photographing – and, yes, Noel, eating!!
John Townend and perhaps Sheila will be here again next month – congratulations to them on the recent birth of a second grand child, Lily.
Last weekend Sam came from Edinburgh, for a couple of nights. Plockton Small Boat Sailing Club has accepted a rowing trophy, in memory of Dolan. It was unveiled at a Club get together, after a sponsored row, when thousands of pounds were raised for cancer charities. I’ll post a photo of Sam with “The Plockton Rowing Trophy”

Sam’s actually coming north again next Friday, when school finishes for the year. I am planning a lightning visit to Edinburgh, to attend Sam’s school (the Royal High)’s prize giving ceremony. I’ll be in town just overnight on Thursday and Sam and I will be in Plockton by 6.00pm on Friday. Hopefully Sam will get a bit of rowing in – maybe even crewing in a PSBSC race. If the wind is strong, skippers are always on the look out for a third crew member.

Regatta Fortnight begins on July 23rd. I hope to have some or all of the family here at various points. The next few weeks will be busy, with guests from home and abroad. The flower garden takes several hours a week to keep in a state of “quiet chaos”, while the veges need a little attention too. The spring cabbages have been very good – all ready at the same time, of course! Lettuce will be this week’s giveaway! The peas should still be going strong when the children come, as well as the potatoes, rasps, gooseberries and maybe the onions – I plant with high hopes and am delighted when most of the produce is edible!!

The computer and I are not gelling just at present….yesterday I lost my 2007 B@B bookings folder – it has NOT reappeared – yet.
Sponge and I are at loggerheads too. I have cream to rub around and on his ears, morning and evening. He hates it and shoots out the kitchen window, sits glaring up at me and licks off as much as possible. You’ll be wondering why this performance? Well, in his old age, Sponge has become allergic to ……MIDGES…

I’ll write again after Regatta,

Ann

Late May

24th May, 2007

Recently I’ve been sent or given new photographs of Plockton and the area. To fit them into the website, with owner’s permission, Alison has added a Visitor’s Photo Gallery. I am sure you’ll enjoy looking at some rather special photos! We should welcome any from you and are particularly keen to see Glenelg, The Isle of Skye and Applecross.


I have been busy for the past few weeks and have met people from all over the place! B&B is such an interesting life! Last week Sponge had his first comment in the visitor’s book – favourable, I hasten to add! He also had his portrait painted!!! We had Mr and Mrs Kim Redpath for a week and Kim (a nephew of Ann Redpath) painted every day. Sponge was a model sitter and dozed for the hour or two he was in the spotlight! Sponge actually belongs to Sam in Edinburgh, though he’s got a Plockton meow now – so Sam and I shall share the painting! I’ll post it with this news and you’ll see Sponge in an unusually dark and solemn mood, I think. The picture is not tiny, measuring 42x30cm!

After the completely unexpected simply marvellous April weather we have been subjected to a less than mediocre May…. There has been a lot of rain, usually accompanied by high winds. I soon got very tired of assuring guests that my veges. needed lots of rain and now I could put the hose away! Judy and Keith from Australia, and Frederic and Aurielle from France trailed round the Isle of Skye today, seeing very little indeed….. I do not remember having huge coal fires on from early afternoon before.

However, the vegetables are doing well and only the leeks have to go in the ground, alongside the potatoes, onions, lettuce, beetroot, carrots and dwarf peas. I have not grown beetroot or carrot before and the thinning process seems a bit daunting…If there is much more heavy rain the seedlings may float apart?

Dolan’s eldest sister Katie died at the beginning of May. She stayed in the family home on the main street. It is strange not to stop there every time I pass. However, our niece Sandra is moving into “35” and will stay till she builds a house on her croft on the Brae, behind the village. Midge, her Border collie, is well used to the village, as Sandra already spends a lot of her free time on the croft.

Little Daniel, two last month, is just too young to say hello on the phone. Sean, four in July, talks freely and gives me his news then finishes either with “I see you tomorrow” or “I love you”. Catriona’s now seven and got a gold cup in her ballet “exam” last week, while Sam at 14 is amazing this innumerate side of the family with his maths results! And yes, they are all my pride and joy…

June will be busy and I am looking forward to meeting friends from previous visits. With no Cheque or Yarrow, Heron’s Flight is a bit different this year. However, Sponge and I will certainly be waiting to welcome you.

Best wishes
Ann

April's almost gone!

Moira, aided by Sean and Sam, brought Catriona to Dalwhinnie on April 3rd and we had lunch before travelling in opposite directions. Catriona and I met Sam two days later, in Kyle. Sam had a football team to support, before his holiday began!

The weather was very good for the ten days we were together and we launched Piglet. Catriona’s just too small to row single handed, but she and Sam took an oar each. Sam did some single handed rowing and swimming lessons were arranged for Catriona. She made excellent progress.
Beach combing was high on our list and our quest for a stone for the base of Dolan’s Rowing Trophy was successful. We brought back so many “possibles” that I now have a new stone border where the black bamboo is!

We had a few guests as well and both Sam and Catriona were good helps. Sam took charge of the fire making and we roasted nightly! Catriona learned some SCD steps and performed in her Uncle John’s first kilt!

We did a bit of sight seeing on the Isle of Skye and visited quite a few friends locally. Then we motored to Edinburgh on the 14th, for two important reasons – Catriona’s 7th birthday on the 15th and yet another football match to attend – Hibernian FC is supported by all the family except me – my lone shout is for Hearts!

Catriona had a lovely day and there is still a party with school chums to come. I left Edinburgh very early the next day and was home by 11.30am. What a quiet house it was, though Sponge really did his best to show his pleasure at my return…….

I’ve been getting another patch of the down garden ready for more planting. Sam, Catriona and I did the onions and potatoes.
The yachts, over wintered in the car park, were launched on Wednesday and Thursday at the high tides. So the bay is beginning to fill up again. The Hebridean Princess cruise ship is again calling in, as is Ocean Spirit, the Gordonstoun School yacht.

I am hoping to receive a few lovely photos of Eilean Donan Castle at night, taken by a guest last week. Alison in Toowoomba should by now realise that my photographic powers are very limited…but I’m being reminded that web photos need updating…..please come and help me and stay a few days at Heron’s Flight too!!

Best wishes,
Ann

Late March, 2007

We have had a week of beautiful, sunny weather! So the lawns are cut and the edgings are tidied. Everything that does not move has been pressure hosed! A lot of shrubs have been cut back and now the daffodils will be loosely tied up in bunches till the foliage withers. The vege garden is dug over and the potatoes are “chitting”. I’ll plant the onions and potatoes soon, with help from Sam and Catriona.
There are several heathers in bloom and three forsythia bushes are shouting that spring is really here! The latter may not have listened to the weather forecast – snow showers tomorrow….

School holidays start next week and Moira and I will drive towards each other on Tuesday. Sam and Catriona will change vehicles and homes, for ten days! We shall have great fun. We are all looking forward to launching “Piglet” again. She’s only 10 feet long and I’m hoping Catriona will now be tall enough to start rowing her. Sam became quite proficient last summer; he takes charge of the outboard too. So, fingers crossed for calm weather!

April will be busier with visitors than this month and then there will be only a few days off till September. It will be a strangely sad summer too, without Yarrow’s help……
Thank you, Alison, for altering parts of the website – you are there when I threaten to fall apart….

There is a good bit of activity in the car park now, as yachtsmen are sprucing up their crafts, prior to launching at the next high tides, in a week or two. Then the bay will begin to fill up with year round boats – plenty of space for visitors too! 60 yachts moored in the bay in front of Heron’s Flight is not uncommon in the summer months.

Sam, Catriona and I are going to go to two beaches – favourites with our family. We’ll be looking for one special stone. It’ll be used as the base for a trophy which will be in memory of Dolan. PSBSC (Plockton Small Boat Sailing Club) decided to honour Dolan by having a silver replica of one of the old markers in the bay made. These markers were lit up to guide big ships past rocks many years ago. When the trophy is finished, I’ll show it to you. It’ll be presented yearly and will involve rowing, rather than sailing. Dolan was a marvellous skipper, but he always said it was no use being a very good sailor if you could not row out to your boat!

Do you know Plockton Bay? If not, do come and see it, from Heron’s Flight! - Ann

March 2007 News

March 3, 2007
Dear all,
On January 31, I had a cataract successfully removed in Raigmore Hospital, 75 miles from Plockton. As I could not drive home, a friend picked Yarrow and me up and when we reached home it was dark.

My friend reversed with my help and was slowly heading off when Yarrow was run over. He must have been blinded by a combination of car and security lights and just stepped in front of the car...

Yarrow was operated on two days later. And he nearly made it….

We had Yarrow for 10 years –'Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home’s very best', Dolan and I readily agreed. In the last two years, Yarrow and I were very seldom apart, as you’ll all know. I miss him dreadfully – he gave me unconditional love and devotion – and it was reciprocated…..

My daughter Moira phoned in early February and gave me 2 options, for Sam’s school holiday week. (She’s good at long distance therapy)
Take Sam to Paris or take Sam to London. I opted to get lost in English, for our first trip at least….

Sam and I had three full days in the Capital and saw such a lot. We enjoyed open air bus travel, went down into the bowels of the city and zipped from station to station and walked, walked and walked! We agreed that another trip would be good!

It’s less than a fortnight till my first visitors arrive. John Townend (Big John) will be first through the door in 2007. Happily, the carpet layers were here yesterday, curtains are being hemmed and the newly covered dining room chairs will all be home today. When the weather improves, the outside of the house is going to be white-washed and painted. It is good for me to keep busy and have plans…

"Sponge" the cat is lost too without his friend Yarrow. He’s decided to try to fill a bit of the gap and at present is here and hereabout all the time….. He seems to be "comfort eating" too, something he has no need to do; as you all know he is a heavyweight already!

Thank you everyone for writing, emailing, phoning and sending flowers for Yarrow…….

I’ll write soon again,
Ann

Bad news about Yarrow

Dear Readers,
I am sorry to tell you that Yarrow didn't come out of an operation he had last week. He was the very best of mates, and as you will appreciate, it is a very upsetting time.
I may not be able to respond as quickly as usual to your emails for the next week or so.
Ann

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IAN!

JANUARY 27, 2007


Dear Ian

Have a wonderful time in Sydney with Alison and the Family. As ever, we are sorry to be here, with all of you there…..

Four appropriate quotes are enough to be going on with, for the next 10 years!!

“Few women admit their age. Few men act their age”

“Inflation is when you pay $15 for the $10 haircut you used to get for $5, when you had hair”

“Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest”

“Men are like wine; some turn to vinegar – but the best improve with age”

Love
Ann and the Family.

Growing Pains at Heron's Flight!

Phew......

I know as one reaches more mature years, it does take longer to grasp any new process. From today I s-h-o-u-l-d be able to change spelling errors and even send you a photo regularly - we'll see!

If I write it all down in words of maximum two syllables, remember another few words of computer language, read the email notes I've received from Australia and try the processes more than a couple of times in the year, then we've cracked it, Alison (in Toowoomba!)

I'll put the theory into practice now and rub out my mistakes and find an "upright" photo to replace the sailing boat "Curlew", which at present lies on it's side!!

Catriona, last summer, had her first helming lesson in "Curlew", an old clinker boat which sails in Plockton Regatta. Malcolm and David were her instructors - Malcolm is Catriona's BIG cousin! He's also a fully qualified sailing instructor, or he might not have been trusted with such a precious six year old skipper!!

The days are slowly stretching and there is a noticeable difference in the evenings - when there is a clear sky, which has not been very often..... We did miss the horrendous storms which battered the south recently. There has been no snow in the west either. We've not had good weather - but it could have been a whole lot worse.
I hope you have the promise of Spring?

Ann

January 2007 News

I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

As ever, the weather is a very important topic here. Today has been one to remember – bright and sunny with a tiny breeze. The forecast is for yet more stormy weather - we are all very tired of it! I’m waiting for a few calm days to plant the “palm bunches” which I sawed off the big branch which broke off one of the cordylines a week or two ago. Do you know if they will grow or am I wasting my time? I shall saw the branch into several logs and hope that some may sprout – I’ve seen that happen.

Sam (14) was with me for a week at New Year. We did enjoy the time together! On Hogmanay we went up to “35” and saw the New Year in with Dolan’s sisters and brother. The bonfire on the island, lit by rocket from the shore, was spectacular and so were the fireworks. It was a very blustery night, but the Plockton celebrations carried on regardless, while Edinburgh, Glasgow and other cities had to cancel. We came home a while later, leaving many people partying the night away.
Over the next few days we visited many friends and were visited too. One of Sam’s achievements this time was teaching me to text on my phone! I am assured I’ll soon wonder how I lived without that particular skill till now!!

When we do finally have a window of better weather I shall begin the winter pruning. At present everything looks so bedraggled that I wonder if a chain saw swept horizontally would not do a good job of tidying up? There is a lot to do…. Today I did get the vine in the greenhouse pruned. It did very well last year – by far the best crop for the least work!

The animals…… “Cheque” was taken to Alyth in Perthshire for hibernation. After much thought I have decided to leave him there. I often felt he was lonely – he did arrive here with his brother “Book” who died suddenly after their first hibernation. He was always trying to hide away in shade, indeed darkness, most often under the broad, jaggy berberis hedge. He was “lost” many times there, causing everyone grief. Now he will be surrounded by little friends in Alyth and so well cared for. I shall see Bob and Gwen, his breeders, occasionally and have first hand reports of wee Cheque.

Sponge is looking very content, shiny and BIG! He has mellowed with age and needs our company now. When Yarrow and I have been out or away in the car he invariably meets us and escorts us into the house! He often shares Yarrow’s beanbag or sleeps on one of the kitchen chairs. Tonight we are all in the kitchen where it is pleasantly warm. Hibernian are beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the Scottish Cup and I’ll be pleased if it stays like that – I’ve mentioned before that most of my Edinburgh gang support Hibs!

Our trip to Edinburgh for Christmas was nearly cancelled because Yarrow had a stroke a month ago. After just 24 hours the improvement was dramatic, which I learned from the vet is quite normal. He had a course of 20 daily tablets and now I have to monitor his every move and action for a while. Hopefully he’ll be able to do without tablets for life.

You’ll be able to imagine how anxious I was and still am……. But the future is beginning to look good and if you come and mention the word “walk”, Yarrow’s reaction will be the same as always – ecstatic!!

I hope you will come and meet us all, in 2007.

Best wishes
Ann
PS Hibs have drawn 2-2 with Aberdeen, so we await the drama of a replay…!

Christmas 2006 and the New Year

From Dec. 2006, my free-online email address will cease.
So please contact me at annheronsflight@btinternet.com
Please do!!

Hello

It’ll soon be time for me to pack the car and head to Edinburgh for Christmas. We’ll go there on the 22nd, probably, and come back two or three days before New Year. Perhaps Sam or Catriona, or better still both of them, will fancy a few days here.

Christmas will be a good time for our family. John and I will spend the days with Moira, Colin and the four children. It is usually a time of quite a bit of excitement, as you can imagine! Meal times fit round children’s routines at this time and that avoids quite a bit of stress, when the ages range from me to one!

I’ll be quite happy to wend my way home, with or without children in tow. Yarrow’s activities are curtailed of necessity in Edinburgh – he does not shine when on the lead! So he will be glad to be home. He just gets comfortable and sleeps away the journey and, when I take the sharp right off the main road at Balmacara, he usually “comes round” and gets excited – only 4 miles to go! Dolan used to tease me hinting that it was not the dog’s “second sense” but the driver’s speed round the acute corner!!

New Year Dolan and I always spent at Heron’s Flight. Nothing changes….. I’ll visit family and friends and have visitors too. Dolan’s sister and brother will be at “35”, the family home. Katie, the eldest of the family, stays there while Janet and John visit frequently, from Inverness. Janet’s daughter Sandra lives near Plockton too. And that is just some of the close family. There can be plenty of visiting…….

This year I hope my email greetings will reach you. Rather than send cards in 2006 I made up an email list and decided to send a donation to charity. Well, the electrical surge in October wiped all my data in the desktop……. I had bits and pieces saved on the laptop and have spent time “resurrecting” lists, which I am sure are not complete. So, if a card usually arrives from me and does not – and you do not get an electronic message, I’m so sorry – and please get in touch with by email, if you wish.

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Good New Year.

Ann

Late November in Plockton

Hello

A while ago I said that I would update you on the electrical surge which rather upset four households in our little corner of Plockton.
Today I had a letter from the head office of Scottish Power, apologising for the “interruption” in power - I never thought to call it such a gentle word! You can decide!!

Catriona, my 6 year old grand daughter, was here on holiday and we got up at just after 7.00am. I noticed that the clock on the microwave was black – not flashing as if there had been a temporary loss of power. All the room lights seemed unnaturally bright. Then the tube of the kitchen light went “bang”, followed by a pop from the bathroom! Early though it was I decided to phone the electrician as the 3 outdoor security lights were now far too bright. As I was being assured that he would come – I thought it was just Heron’s Flight that was affected – Richard from “Tigh an Fhaing” next door came in and said they were being blitzed too! And HE knew why!
As he walked up from the pier and turned in our drive, he had to walk over a large cable which had become severed from the hydro pole.

Richard told me to switch off the security lights but, before I took a step we watched them explode….. There being no more fireworks, Richard went home and we had breakfast in the semi dark. Catriona then went to do her teeth in the bathroom and found the carpet strewn with bits of bulb – and a neat little burn too.

The young electrician from beautiful Glenelg, 26 miles away did a thorough tour of Heron’s Flight and checked all the electrical appliances, etc. Off he went to the other 2 houses and the Post Office and, when he had four lists, he handed them into the Hydro shop in Kyle of Lochalsh. We were then told to replace everything, all expenses paid by Scottish Hydro Electric Power – I think that is their title!

For the first few days, this was good fun - but it is not any more. I know others are similarly fed up, finding replacements, getting equipment installed, etc. BUT we will never again be offered new for sometimes rather old, with no increase in our insurance premiums!! My list of replacements reads……

Complete desktop computer – I’ve lost all the data that I was careless enough not to copy…….
Microwave
Gas hob with electric ignition
Kitchen strip light and fitting
Phones
Fax/ansaphone
Digital TV and Sky connection
2 radios
Rechargeable fluorescent torch
Bathroom carpet
All three outdoor security lights
I think that is all……….

Heron’s Flight will soon be “restored” – all that should remain to be done shortly will be the carpet and it has been chosen.

My thoughts are now turning to Sam’s birthday on December 10th – he’ll be 14 and of course he has a very proud granny! We’ve always been on the same wave length – and we aim to keep it that way!

Yarrow and I shall spend Christmas in Edinburgh – amid the excitement of the children. We’ll stay with John, as usual. But we’ll be home for New Year.

The plan for 2006 was to have a Xmas list so I would email everyone festive greetings – well, the list is somewhat incomplete now, but hopefully some friends will have best wishes from Heron’s Flight at the press of a button! I shall be in touch before December 25th……

Best Wishes
Ann

October 2006 - where did it go?

October News – it’s Nov.4th now….


I have been sitting “chatting “ to you for at least an hour and, as all too often happens, my musings have vanished, with the exception of paragraph one and the last two letters of the last word in paragraph 20, or thereabouts. I have searched………….Off I go again……….

Last time I wrote I was telling you of my “spell of breakages”. Well, that has paled into insignificance! But I’ll bring you up to date with other news first, as this saga is still ongoing and will be till my return from Edinburgh in about 10 days…….

I’m back to normal living, if such a thing exists, at Heron’s Flight, It is quite difficult to re-adjust, having had, from mid March, guests from all over the world and family and friends too. Yarrow and Sponge too have suddenly found the house very empty and quiet and have agreed, at least for the time being, to be best friends and even share the one beanbag!!
Cheque has gone back to his breeder for hibernation, so I’ll not be setting the alarm nightly, to “check” that the temperature is correct (6C) in the old fridge!

It seems so long since Sam was here and we were on the water in “Piglet”. She’s now covered for the winter. Another skill Sam learned was boomerang throwing! Geraldine and Neville from Australia stayed a few days and Neville instructed Sam in a few minutes – and sent lovely photos too. I kept the boomerang here, Neville, as Sam’s Granny did not see it approaching at speed and just ducked in time! We’ll be careful.

Three weeks ago, Yarrow and I went to Edinburgh and stayed the night with John. I was delighted to see that our Auntie Mima, now 97, was progressing well after having a stroke. I heard last night that she’ll be home next Wednesday – wonderful!
I captured Catriona, having had a little but not enough time with the family, then we headed north for a week of fun. Each evening, rain, wind or shine we went to the pier to fish. Most times we are satisfied when crabs are caught. Well, Catriona’s catch included TWO crabs on the one hook and TWO (little) fish on separate expeditions – the latter were no doubt delight ed to be re-united very soon after with their Mums…..The secret of successful pier fishing - a tiny hook and a piece of good guality unsmoked raw bacon!

A fortnight ago Catriona and I welcomed Ian and then John! Ian had four days only….. He and Catriona drove south and Ian flew from Turnhouse (Edinburgh) that afternoon, home to Toowoomba. John stayed a week and cleared my “to do, have tried, can’t” list. His industry spurred me, after his departure, to try my hand at sugar soaping, sanding, dusting, white spiriting and finally satin varnishing the kitchen cupboard doors, out and in – I’m quite pleased with the result, but, as there were 16 (smallish) doors, I’ll tackle something else next!!

Actually, I’m going to Edinburgh next weekend and will probably stay a few days. I want Moira to help choose a microwave oven, a gas hob with electric ignition and a radio with tape facility. If I was worth my salt I’d do it all sitting here – but I really prefer seeing the actual article – don’t you? When I come home I’ll write soon again and tell you how to procure new electrical goods for sometimes very old – at no cost!!! Sounds too good to be true and I admit there are a few drawbacks to this way of renewing household goods. But that’s my next tale!

I hope all is well with you.
Ann

Electric news!

Dear all,
Ann is back on the air again, after an exciting week or three. She experienced an extreme power surge, and lots of her electrical appliances were 'fried'. Ann will tell you more in her own words in a few days. In the meantime, she took a gorgeous photo of a heron from her front lawn the other day - and the photo is now at the bottom of her home page. Here's a small small version!
Best wishes, from Alison (Ann's sister-in-law)

Fame at last!

There's a good photo of Heron's Flight in one of the key tourism textbooks on the market. The book is The Business of Tourism,7th edition, by Chris Holloway and Neil Taylor, published by Addison Wesley this year.
Chris and his wife have stayed here several times while he's been visiting north-west Scotland doing research for his books over the years. I'm delighted to see a photo appear on page 292. If you do find his book, do you see Yarrow in the photo?

Message about email

Dear all,
Heron's Flight had a problem with a power surge last week and some of my electrical equipment blew up! As a result, I can't read or send email at the moment. If you need to contact me, please phone me. I'll let you know when I'm back in email contact.
Ann

Thea & Graeme , special visitors

Thea did a lot of work to build this website with Alison, my sister-in-law. So it was great to welcome them to stay recently.
Ann

September News

September News.

Only recently I finally got all the little finger and palm prints off the windows and shiny surfaces – the truth is I really liked seeing them and was loath to remove them! Next month the Edinburgh schools have a week off, so I hope to have Catriona at least.

It is getting a real autumn feel now and it is dark around 8.45pm. We have had quite warm weather and a fair bit of sun, so everything in the garden is still shooting up – the grass too, unfortunately…. There is still a lot of colour, with roses and sweet peas doing especially well. In the down garden the potatoes are long finished, but there are plenty of leeks, a few lettuces and a forest of kale! The onions are drying and the first grapes were picked today. There are about 30 bunches in varying stages of readiness, so they should last a good few weeks.

The animals are all well. Yarrow is still at the ready daily to show guests round the village, while Sponge lounges around in prominent places, knowing full well that visitors are going to stop and comment on his size/markings/loud purr, etc. Wee Cheque is slowing down (he CAN trot along at a fair speed) with the cooler days and earlier dark evenings. So he’s indoors on his heated blanket, with a lamp above him and a selection of food nearby – today he has a choice of lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, celery and a grape or two. Yarrow’s own web page had been a source of much chit chat and several really good photos have been sent to us!

I went through a few days when everything I touched fell apart! One coffee machine, the microwave and the weather station were mended. But the knob of my washing machine still parts company with base and a food processor went in the bin along with a second coffee machine!
Now everything seems to have settled down again – for a while anyway…..

I must report that progress on this summer’s jig saw has been very good recently. Kate and Steve along with Victorine and Didier began what may well be the final push three weeks ago. Fay and Paul then tackled the sky and commented “wish we could have stayed to finish it”. Orietta and Davide did their level best next and a few days ago Bill re-arranged the outline, put in a lot of pieces and said “Wish I had more time…” So, the end is in sight and I thank you all. I’ll photo it when it’s framed.

I have had such good company recently. Now I look forward to meeting guests from Scandinavia, America, Australia, France and Britain. And in 5 weeks Ian is paying a flying visit, en route home to Toowoomba from America – I look forward so much to that time, when John too hopes to be home for a little spell.
I’ll write again after their visit Ann

August News

August News

It’s the 9th and I have had family and friends staying since I last wrote. Our bridesmaid all those years ago was school friend Dorothy and she brought another close friend Irene and Catriona north on the 24th. We had six days of marvellous weather and such good company. Most evenings saw us all at the pier, fishing – every one of us intent on catching something!!

Catriona stayed on and we greeted the rest of the family on the 31st - a lovely, lovely time, though the weather was more unsettled. Colin and Sam managed to coat the three garden benches with Sadolin – a good job done! Colin had two rounds of golf at Sconser on the Isle of Skye and the rest of us visited family and friends, went to the Highland Farm nearby and had a trip on Argus, with Skipper Calum. We fished off the pier for crabs and “gooble” fish AND went out in the new boat, with Sam at the helm. I think that three year old Sean, in particular, was delighted to be in the boat, finally named “PIGLET”.

On August 3rd two loaded cars headed back to Edinburgh – Colin had Sam and Daniel, who is very nearly at little boy stage, a very good one year old. Charlie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel completed the first car load. Moira had Catriona and Sean and a car load of luggage. Sean loved being here and having a bit more freedom outside. Catriona and he went visiting neighbours one day - great fun. Sean arrived home with a little plaster – despite, or perhaps because of, clinging on to Catriona’s hand (“SEAN, hold Catriona’s hand ALL the time”) he tripped on a step. They had a good journey home and this house was far too quiet for days after!

However, Sam came back on the train, on Monday and he’ll stay till Friday. Unfortunately the weather so far has been stormy, so Piglet remains on shore. Two days ago the wind blew up quite dramatically in the late afternoon and several large yachts came into the bay for shelter. It was exciting to watch them dropping anchor and dragging back till it gripped - some had several attempts before they were secure The wind blew all yesterday too, so only the largest vessels went out,

Today, however, we had Piglet out three times as it was finally calm, though a bit damp. Sam’s rowing came on well. After tea we walked across to the Pink House to a house warming. Then Sam rowed Yarrow and me to the Green Shed launching area, where we put Piglet on her trolley and pulled her the 100 yards home. She’ll be cleaned and her cover fastened on now. Sam leaves for Edinburgh on the morning (7.38am) train.


It’s now the 13th and I am once again “back to auld clues and parridge”. The schools resume on 16th. So the next family visitor may well be Ian, who will drop in for very few days in October – I am not complaining about the “very few days”, as I am delighted that he can make it at all. I think he will be en route to Toowoomba from America when he drops in here. Ian thinks nothing about shooting here, there and everywhere with alarming regularity, while I find a trip to Inverness daunting!

We have had our usual wonderful mix of guests, with Italy heading the Continental and Australia the far away visitors. Sam benefited from Neville and Geraldine making the long journey – he now throws a boomerang with style and quite a bit of accuracy (no windows broken in the learning, I am pleased to report) Thank you too, Neville, for all the photos some of which I have posted on to Toowoomba. Our friend “Big John” brought flowers when he came on July 17th – they have been pruned a bit but are still lovely – thank you, John.

The garden took a back seat for a while and gallop along it did! Some serous pruning and chopping are now fairly essential – then I’ll find the weeds! My potato shaws just stopped growing and withered – maybe it was the drought and shallow poor soil combination? Anyway, the resultant many, many “marbles” taste good! The onions, lettuce and leeks are all doing well, but the star of the vege garden is the double row of kale – enough to feed the village! I wish seed companies sold packets of 50, not 500!!! I sow the lot and plant what comes up….

The animals are thriving, though they do miss the attention of the children! Sam took some good photos of them and one of Yarrow has resulted in him now having his own web page! Sponge of course takes a pretty dim view of this favouritism and is punishing the only human he can, by sleeping on her pillow, if he gets there first….. Cheque has taken the extreme step of running away from home a second time…..

So, life has not been dull since my last letter – and I do not anticipate it being so! The next five weeks promise to be very busy with guests - I look forward to meeting some old friends and making more new!

Best Wishes
Ann

PS Yarrow is quite willing to share his page a little, with Sponge and Cheque. But what he would like best is for any of you to email a picture, with perhaps a little comment. He’s been for hundreds of walks up the village – did you take him and did he abandon you half way through?!

My granddaughter Catriona, flowergirl

(Thanks to Neville Peterkin for this photo)

In my July letter I told you about the wedding at which my granddaughter Catriona was a flower girl. I've finally gotten around to showing you one of the many photos of the day. She's the sunny lass on the right, and her partner is Eilidh - a year and a quarter younger than Catriona and a serious wee soul throughout!